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It's -8 degrees in Glendale Heights IL this morning and for the first time my car wont start. It turns over fine, but nothing. It actually started up right away, then died, then nothing. Any tips from anyone? 2001 325i.

It's -8 degrees in Glendale Heights IL this morning and for the first time my car wont start. It turns over fine, but nothing. It actually started up right away, then died, then nothing. Any tips from anyone? 2001 325i.

There maybe enough voltage for the starter but not for the computer. Unfortunately, only a jump start or charger can help. I can't wait to see if my truck starts.

Do you plug it in at night to keep the block warm? It's extremely hard on the engine if you don't when it's that cold, because there will be very little lubrication for the first 15-30 seconds or so. If you're running 5W synthetic oil, that will help as it's an excellent winter formulation.

Second, have you added any gas line antifreeze to your tank? It's very common for icing to occur in the line due to condensation in the tank, especially when temps drop suddenly, or you go from cold, to a heated garage, back to cold again. It sounds to me like you might have ice in your line if it started the first time and then stopped. The residual gas fired, and then the engine got starved for fuel.

Im glad we are having this conversation online because if we were talking in person you may throw rotten vegetables at me. I park outside, because my wife parks her bunk Jetta in the garage, I have whatever type of oil the BMW dealer puts in it, and I obviously dont plug the block in like I probably should. In the two years Ive had this car, It has always started on the first try, no matter how cold it is. Im a little concerned, I just checked the coolant level and it was ultra-low, so low that the bobber was resting in its lowest position. I am parked on a pretty steep incline, so I dont know if that has anything to do with it, maybe its pooling in the back? Ive never had a leak, so I hope that my head gaskets are ok, because this car is becoming a money pit. Already had the burned out final stage resistor, a snapped sway bar, among other things, and I am a little overdue on my service II. Its going to be an expensive spring. I think I will try and jump it when the wife gets home, although all the electronics are working fine and it cranks like hell, I think that a frozen fuel line is most likely the culprit. Too bad Hondas dont look and drive better...

I hope you have a clogged/frozen fuel line, because if you continue to crank it over without starting it you run the risk of flooding the cylinders with gasoline. Then you will have to remove plugs, dry them, re-install, change oil and filter and re-start. You can check by removing a plug to test for presence/smell of gasoline.

Well, its warmer today, and the cylanders arent flooded and the car still wont start. I tried jumping it and nothin... I guess I have to have it towed to the dealer tomorrow. It turns over fine, just wont catch. I guess it could be battery, alternator, fuel pump, or any number of things...

There was some electrical failure associated with the fuel pump, it was completely toasted, and repeatedly blowing a fuse somewhere. put that along with the final stage resistor that I also need replaced and a large chunk of my tax return is in the toilet...

600 smacks for a fuel pump? Ouch! I would definately have some fun with their loaner!
I'm in the samme boat though... I've been pi$$in away my entire tax return each year. I guess its ok when I always have a $hit-eatin grin while driving!